In an interesting turn of events, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader and Housing Board Chairperson Kalikesh Narayan Singhdeo visited senior Congress leader and arch-rival Narasingha Mishra’s residence in Bolangir on Sunday to offer him and his family Mahaprasad from Puri Srimandir.
As per reports, Singhdeo came with a sankirtan procession and visited Mishra’s residence. He offered Mahaprasad to Mishra’s wife and sought blessings from her. He also offered Mahaprasad to Mishra’s elder son.
Singhdeo’s visit bears significance with the general election just months away.
However, Singhdeo termed the visit as formal and said the Mahaprasad is being distributed to everybody, not only to Mishra family.
Speaking about the visit, Singhdeo said, “The people of Bolangir had come forward to offer rice and betel nut for the Parikrama Project at Puri Srimandir. So I thought I should distribute the Mahaprasad among them. I seek blessings from Lord Jagannath to keep the residents of Bolangir happy and prosperous.”
It is pertinent to mention here that both Singhdeo and Mishra are traditional rivals in politics and hail from Bolangir. And with the elections approaching, they were recently engaged in a war of words too.
His visit to Narasingha Mishra's home has become the talk of the town.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Congress party had recently organised a symbolic marriage of BJP and BJD alleging their bonhomie for the last 25 years.